Effects on Motile Factors and Cell Growth of Euglena gracilis After Exposure to Wood Ash Solution; Assessment of Toxicity, Nutrient Availability and pH-Dependency

Wood ash application (WAA) to the forest has been suggested as a resource of nutrients for trees and for restoration of acidified soils and surface waters. However, studies of the effects of WAA on aquatic systems are few. This study investigated the effects of wood ash (1–25 g L^?1) on the unicellular flagellate Euglena gracilis, which has been proved to be a sensitive test organism for assessing environmental change. Long-term (7 days) growth studies and short-term (direct, 24 and 48 h) studies of different motile factors, using the automatic biological test system Ecotox, were conducted. The results show no indication of biotoxic effects due to wood ash (adjusted to neutral) treatments. However, when no adjustments of pH in wood ash solutions were made, inhibitory effects on motile factors and cell growth were observed at higher concentrations of wood ash (10–25 g L^?1) due to high pH (> 8). In tests with pH adjusted to neutral, enhanced motility was observed. These results indicate that high concentration of WAA could affect freshwater environments.     

The Importance of Precedent Hydro-climatological Conditions for the Mass Transfer of Pollutants in Separated Sewer Systems and Corresponding Tributaries During Storm Events

Runoff events were analysed in separated sewer systems in the town of Luxembourg. The relationships between Event Mean Concentrations of different pollutants and runoff patterns were evaluated. In addition, the inter-storm and intra-storm variability of the material transport were determined. Primarily, the variations in pollutant concentrations and loads are determined by the antecedent weather conditions. The presence of illicit sanitary inputs in one of the sewers produced a significant first flush effect as well as higher Event Mean Concentrations for pollutants. Furthermore, near the town of Trier 40 storms were analyzed in a small natural basin mainly influenced by runoff from a separated sewer system. Natural and artificial storm events were investigated in order to estimate the relationship between the pollutant sources in the channel and from the separated sewer system. Just like in the canalization of Luxembourg City the pollutant dynamics during natural storms are strongly influenced by pre-event hydrological conditions. The artificial storms behave differently. Despite little pre-rain, the maximum concentrations of toxic substances are comparatively low. A resuspension of sediment only occurs in the natural channel system, without the introduction of fines from the sewer system.     

Identification of flavonol and xanthone glycosides from mango (Mangifera indica L. Cv. "Tommy Atkins") peels by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Flavonol O- and xanthone C-glycosides were extracted from mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. "Tommy Atkins") peels and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Among the fourteen compounds analyzed, seven quercetin O-glycosides, one kaempferol O-glycoside, and four xanthone C-glycosides were found. On the basis of their fragmentation pattern, the latter were identified as mangiferin and isomangiferin and their respective galloyl derivatives. A flavonol hexoside with m/z 477 was tentatively identified as a rhamnetin glycoside, which to the best of our knowledge, has not yet been reported in mango peels. The results obtained in the present study confirm that peels originating from mango fruit processing are a promising source of phenolic compounds that might be recovered and used as natural antioxidants or functional food ingredients.     

Computing inbreeding coefficients and the inverse numerator relationship matrix in large populations of honey bees

The inbreeding coefficients are considered in breeding decisions, and the inverse numerator relationship matrix A ^?1 is a prerequisite for breeding value estimation. Polyandry and haploid males are among the specifics of relationships between honey bees. Brascamp and Bijma (2014) averaged out the manifold possible relationships among honey bees that appear to have the same parents in a pedigree and assigned a single entry in A to animals that behave as a unit, for example, the workers of a hive. Their methods of calculation connected full‐sibs in the variance matrix of the Mendelian sampling terms D , via nonzero off‐diagonal elements. This impedes the inversion of A and the closely connected calculation of inbreeding coefficients, because efficient algorithms for this task take D to be a diagonal matrix. Memory limitations necessitate their use for large data sets. We adapted the quickest of them to the block diagonal matrix D , that is postulated for the honey bee. To our knowledge, the presented algorithm is the first one that facilitates the method of Brascamp and Bijma (2014) on large data sets.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for lactational milk yields using two-dimensional random regressions on parities and days in milk in Chinese Simmental cattle

A two‐dimensional random regression model with regressions on days in milk (DIM) and parity number was applied to lactational milk yields in Chinese Simmental cattle. Random regressions were fitted for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects using a two‐dimensional polynomial on DIM and parity number. A total of 4340 lactational milk yields from Chinese Simmental cattle which calved between 1980 and early 2000 were used in this study. Variance components were estimated using Bayesian methodology via Gibbs sampling. Variances of random regression coefficients associated with all terms of the polynomials were significant. A covariance function showed that heritabilities of lactational milk yields between 200 and 400 DIM over parities varied between 0.25 and 0.45. Heritabilities of 305‐day milk yields from 1st to 6–8th parities were 0.28, 0.30, 0.32 0.32, 0.32, and 0.31, respectively. Ratios of permanent environment variances to total variances at each DIM were greater than corresponding heritabilities. Generally, genetic correlations were higher between lactational milk yields with similar DIM and parity number.     

Realignment of the radius in canine antebrachial growth deformities treated with corrective osteotomy and bilateral (type II) external fixation

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors affecting radial alignment after oblique corrective osteotomy stabilized with a type II external fixator and to evaluate the results of this treatment for antebrachial growth deformities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty-eight dogs with unilateral antebrachial growth deformities treated with acute corrective osteotomy stabilized with a type II external fixator. METHODS: Medical records and preoperative and postoperative radiographs of the affected and contralateral limb were reviewed. Cause of deformity, age, weight, and gender were recorded. Radial length, varus/valgus angulation, and cranial/caudal angulation were measured from radiographs of the treated and contralateral limbs. Preoperative and postoperative angulation and length discrepancy were compared between affected and contralateral limbs. RESULTS: Correction of varus/valgus angle discrepancy was achieved by using acute corrective osteotomy stabilized with type II external skeletal fixation. No significant change was noted for correction of cranial/caudal angle discrepancy or length discrepancy between the affected and control limb. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Varus/valgus angle deformities can be treated successfully with type III external fixation after oblique corrective osteotomy. Patients with significant length or cranial/caudal angle discrepancies or both that negatively impact function may require the use of hinged circular fixators or other dynamic techniques to achieve adequate correction.     

Detection, quantification, and pharmacokinetics of furosemide and its effects on urinary specific gravity following IV administration to horses

Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for the prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. This drug may interfere with the detection of other substances by reducing urinary concentrations, so its use is strictly regulated. The regulation of furosemide in many racing jurisdictions is based on paired limits of urinary SG (<1.010) and serum furosemide concentrations (>100 ng/ml). To validate this regulatory mechanism, a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method employing a solid-phase extraction procedure and furosemide-d5 as an internal standard was developed. The method was used to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide in equine serum samples and its effects on urinary SG after IV administration (250 mg) to 10 horses. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that serum concentrations of furosemide were well described by a two-compartmental open model. Based on results in this study, it is very unlikely for horses to have serum furosemide concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml or urine SG less than 1.010 at 4 hours after administration (250 mg IV). However, it should be remembered that urine SG is a highly variable measurement in horses, and even without furosemide administration, some horses might naturally have urine SG values less than 1.010.     

Inclusion-body hepatitis in day-old turkeys

Inclusion-body hepatitis was diagnosed in 1-day-old turkeys experiencing above-average mortality. At necropsy, turkeys appeared anemic and had pale yellow livers. Histopathologic examination of affected livers revealed diffuse hepatic degeneration and multifocal necrosis, with approximately 70% of the hepatocytes containing large, basophilic, intranuclear inclusion bodies. An adenovirus was isolated from affected livers and identified as a group I avian adenovirus by indirect immunofluorescence.     

The persistence of spray droplets above two vegetation canopies

Droplets were released from an ‘instantaneous line source’ perpendicular to the wind at heights of 4 and 7 m above the ground. Droplets were collected by rotating samplers at three heights; sets of samplers were positioned in a line parallel to the wind, downwind of the line source. Trials were carried out in moderately unstable conditions during the day, and under stable conditions shortly after dark, both over short rough stubble and over mature cotton. A substantial proportion of the small droplets were found to travel as far as 500 m over cotton; over grass, few of even the smallest droplets were collected 250 and 500 m downwind of the line source. Collection at the distant samplers was on average slightly, but not significantly, more when the spray was released at the greater height.